South Lake Tahoe Authorities See a Rise in Heroin Use

Heroin use is on the rise across the country, according to new numbers from the Centers for Disease Control. It's happening in our community as well, where law enforcement in South Lake Tahoe are seeing an increase.

Several years ago Alan Peck says he found his friend overdosed from the drug. 

"One of my best friends wanted to try heroin. We kept telling him man, no don't do it," said Alan Peck, a South Lake Tahoe resident. "I pulled the needle out of his arm and tried to save his life. I sat there for 20 minutes giving him mouth to mouth. Called emergencies and the ambulance showed up 20 minutes later. The first time that he tried it, he died."

South Lake Tahoe law enforcement says they're seeing a rise in heroin overdoses and some have resulted in death. As for why this terrible drug is taking off like it is, authorities say we can blame prescription drug abuse. 

"Heroin that is an opiate is cheaper to get and it's easier and accessible than pain medications now," said Tasha Thompson, the Commander for the El Dorado Narcotics Task Force.

Task Force authorities say black tar heroin is the most common type being seen in the South Lake Tahoe area. They also say heroin addicts are also getting younger. Users are typically men between the ages of 18 to 25, unemployed, who become obsessed looking for their next high. 

"On a daily basis, that's all they're doing, they're chasing the drug. They're trying to figure out what's the next way to get their fix," said Thompson. 

She says heroin addictions in South Lake Tahoe have also led to more crime in the city. 

"People who have an addiction to drugs and need money, people usually commit crimes to get that money," said Thompson.     

In fact, just this past August, the El Dorado Narcotics Task Force Team arrested 7 people after heroin was found in a home on the 800 block of Tallac Avenue.

Local rehab facilities in South Lake Tahoe and the Narcotics Task Force Team are working hard to battle this drug.

Thompson says, "We're working locally with our DEA agents and their doing follow up trying to figure out the sources and suppliers."

And Peck who says he lost a friend to the drug, says he wants heroin users to know the consequences. 

"They're going to die. This is not a joke," said Peck. "I don't want that to happen to anybody. You know, it's really sad. I don't want any of these kids to be hurt on heroin. We've got to get this stuff out of here."

More Information on South Lake El Dorado Narcotics Enforcement Team: http://www.cityofslt.us/index.aspx?NID=314